After School programs
Registration is OPen FOR Winter/Spring 2024 Sessions!
Outdoor Gear guide
At Friends of Rye Nature Center’s Forest School, we believe a deep understanding of and connection to nature starts when we allow our environment to teach us. The 47-acre forest at the Rye Nature Center is so much more than a park. It is the place where we begin to understand our role in our greater ecosystem, how we can shape our future, and why the freedom of the outdoors ignites our imaginations and intellects.
About Our Afterschool Program
Our afterschool clubs give elementary school students the opportunity to spend some much-needed time exploring the outdoors. Each session will focus on a different topic to help participants connect with nature and have fun! Registration is available by the session. Children do not need to attend session one in order to attend session two.
Grades K-1
Tuesdays 3:15 - 4:30 pM
WINTER WILDERNESS EXPLORERS
Session 1: Feb 27, March 5, 12, 19, April 2, 9
From identifying animal tracks in the snow to creating winter-themed crafts, join us for six weeks of exploring the grounds of Rye Nature Center. Each week promises a blend of outdoor adventure and creative exploration to foster a deeper connection with the changing winter wilderness.
SPRING ART CLUB
Session 2: April 16, 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28
Harness the inspiration of an emerging season. From scavenger hunts to nature inspired paintings, each week participants will engage in hands-on crafts to create vibrant works of art with the help of natural materials sourced from our forest!
Grades 2-4
Thursdays 3:15 - 4:30 pM
WINTER TO SPRING ADVENTURE
Session 1: Feb 29, March 7, 14, 21, April 4, 11
Have you tasted sugar on snow? Starting in the middle of Maple Sugaring season, come join us in exploring the dynamic transition of seasons. Along the way we will discover the secrets of nature’s awakening as winter gives way to the vibrant hues of spring.
JUNIOR NATURALIST ACADEMY
Session 2: April 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23
Do you have what it takes to become a Junior Naturalist? As each session brings warmer weather, participants will engage in habitat exploration, bird identification, pond life discovery and insect hunting. Join us in becoming young stewards of the environment surrounded by the forest of RNC!
HOW TO REGISTER
STEP ONE: Create an account. We recommend you do this using this link before the day of registration to limit the amount of information you will have to submit. If you have attended a program or supported FRNC in the past, it is likely that we already have an account on file for you which you can recover using the "forgot password" option and entering your email. If you are new to the Nature Center and our programs, you can create a new account.
STEP TWO: Register online. Beginning at the indicated registration times, you can register online using the link on our website or the quick links section in your system account. To make the process easier, you will only submit your child’s general information (name, date of birth, and sessions you wish to attend).
STEP THREE: Pay through PayPal. Once you submit the online form, you will be redirected to PayPal to complete your payment. If you do not have a PayPal account you can still use the platform to pay with a debit or credit card. Your payment will be incomplete if you navigate away from PayPal before submission. We must receive the payment in order to process your application.